Italy concerned over recent incidents in Karabakh

The statement run as follows: “On the occasion of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s visit to Rome, July 14, Italy and Azerbaijan agreed to adopt a joint declaration with the intent to further enhance their bilateral political, economic and cultural relations and to explore new horizons of cooperation, including through the involvement of civil society.

Part of this all-round cooperation is also the commitment to seek a negotiated settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict under the auspices of the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group (with Italy being its member and supporting its principles).

In line with its traditional position and in full harmony with that of the European Union, the Italian side considers it necessary to reiterate, even in the context of the Joint Declaration, that the mutual commitment of Rome and Baku should be focused on a peaceful solution to the conflict, based on the rules and principles of the UN Charter and the Helsinki Final Act, as well as the ongoing negotiation process, conducted under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs, France, Russia and the United States.

In view of the latest developments, Italy is deeply concerned over the recent incidents in the region and, in close cooperation with the EU partners, is urging Armenia and Azerbaijan to refrain from using force and to seize the opportunity for to find a political solution to the conflict, taking advantage of the meeting between President Aliyev and President Sargsyan in Sochi, on August 10.”

The conflict between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan broke out as result of the ethnic cleansing launched by the Azeri authorities in the final years of the Soviet Union. The Karabakh War was fought from 1991 (when the Nagorno Karabakh Republic was proclaimed) to 1994 (when a ceasefire was sealed by Armenia, NKR and Azerbaijan). Most of Nagorno Karabakh and a security zone consisting of 7 regions are now under control of NKR defense army. Armenia and Azerbaijan are holding peace talks mediated by the OSCE Minsk Group up till now.